Someone IS minding the store

A new furniture store on Front Street.

While Plainfield residents, merchants and government alike may be thrilled with the increased liveliness of shopping on Front Street with the addition of new merchants, irrational exuberance can sometimes lead to being carried away.

The offending vertical banner.




And the packaging tape.

Such was the case a new furniture store between Bill's Luncheonette and Suburban Jewelers, which is presided over by Plainfield SID president Lisa Cohen.

The irrational exuberance? When I first spotted the store while driving down Front Street, I noticed a tall, attention-getting upright vertical banner -- fixed to one of the shiny new signature bishop's crook street lamps with several wraps of clear plastic carton-sealing tape.

Now, who's supposed to keep an eye on downtown appearances, you might ask. The merchants? The SID? City Inspections officers? The cops on bike and Segway patrol?

Good question. While in City Hall last Friday, I spoke with an employee and suggested Inspections should take a look.

Monday evening I noticed the banner was gone, though the overhead pennants are still in place.

Progress. One little step at a time.

Merchants want attention. Should pennant-anchoring be allowed?

-- Dan Damon

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ARCHIVED POSTS OF PLAINFIELD TODAY FROM 11/03/2005 THROUGH 12/31/2006 ARE AT
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